Health machine using magnetorheological fluid

ABSTRACT

Provided is an exercise fitness machine that can be varied in weight in a minute unit in accordance with a body condition of a user and easily transformed in accordance with a developing portion of the body, thereby maximizing convenience in use and efficiency of exercise. The exercise/fitness machine includes a base frame, a muscular strength member that is provided on an upper end of the base frame to develop muscular strength of an upper or lower body of a user, and a weight varying unit provided between the base frame and the muscular developing member and including a damper containing magnetorheological fluid to vary a weight sense in accordance with a user&#39;s selection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise/fitness machine usingmagnetorheological fluid, and more particularly, to an exercise fitnessmachine that can be varied in weight in a minute unit in accordance witha body condition of a user and easily transformed in accordance with adeveloping portion of the body, thereby maximizing convenience in useand efficiency of exercise.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, interest in indoor/outdoor exercise is rising along with theexpansion of the well-being trend and along with the lowering of an agecategory related to adult diseases that are caused as eating habitsbecome more Western.

In response to the interest in the indoor/outdoor exercise, a variety ofexercise facilities have been increased in small and medium cities aswell as big cities. Particularly, fitness centers where people can doexercise without being influenced by the weather or season are gettingthe spotlight.

Further, fitness machines used in the fitness centers are classifiedinto aerobic exercise machines such as a treadmill and weight machinessuch as a chest press, a training machine for biceps/triceps muscle, apush up/pull down press, a lat curl, a body extension, a legextension/curl, a leg press, an abdomen/back machine, a motion machineof twist, and the like.

The weight machine is used to develop the muscles using a plurality ofweights provided in a variety of units, tension springs, or acombination thereof, which are provided at a side thereof. FIG. 1 is aperspective view of a typical exercise/fitness machine. Referring toFIG. 1, the machine includes a base frame 11 supported on a floor, aseating plate 15 on which a user seats or leans, a support frame 12having a first end coupled to the base frame, an operation frame 14rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the support frame 12 or thebase frame 11 and rotating by a predetermined angle by external forceapplied through a grasping portion G formed on a first end by the usergrasping the grasping portion G, and a weight frame 13 having aplurality of rope pulleys 17, which are coupled to a side and changedirection in which force is applied to allow weights W to generate forceresisting the rotation of the operation frame 14 through a rope 18.

The user seats on the seating plate 15 and leans back in the back of theseating plate 15. In this state, the user graphs the graphing portion Gand pushes the operation frame forward by a predetermined distance andpulls the operation frame to an initial position. The user repeats thismotion.

That is, when the user applies force to the graphing portion G, theoperation frame 14 rotates about a pin coupling portion 19, in thecourse of which external resisting force is applied to a first end ofthe rope 18 through the rope pulley 17. The external resisting force isgenerated by gravity of the weights W that are selectively stacked inresponse to a desired weight by the user and selectively coupled to asecond end of the rope 18. When the user repeatedly pushes and pulls theoperation frame 14 in a state where the external resisting force isapplied, the user can develop his/her pectoral muscle.

Therefore, the typical exercise/fitness machine has to have the weightsW that are selectively coupled to the rope in accordance with thedesired weight by the user to generate the external force resisting theforce applied by the user. In addition, the weights W are coupled to therope 18 so that a load of the weights W is transferred to a side of theoperation frame 14. At this point, the plurality of rope pulleys 17 areused to change the direction in which the force is applied. Therefore, aweight frame 13 for supporting the rope pulleys 17 is additionallycoupled and fixed to the side of the base frame 11.

Therefore, the typical exercise/fitness machine occupies a relativelylarge space in addition to a space where the user moves. Further, theweights W that are selectively coupled to the rope in accordance withthe desired weight by the user must be provided in response to loadranges. The weights W increase an overall weight of the exercise/fitnessmachine and thus it is difficult to displace the exercise/fitnessmachine. As a result, the space efficiency is deteriorated.

Particularly, the typical exercise/fitness machine is designed such thatthe user has to change the number of the weights coupled to the rope byhimself/herself so as to increase the exercising weight. Therefore, whenthe user erroneously selects the number of the weights, the user may beinjured due to the excessive weight change.

Further, since the weights are provided in fixed different units, thereis a limitation in use by users such as the elderly or patients.

In addition, since the typical exercise/fitness machines are formed in afixed structure, it is difficult to change the developing portion of theuser's body in accordance with the body condition of the user. That is,the user cannot select the developing portion of his/her body.Therefore, the exercise efficiency is deteriorated.

Meanwhile, the typical exercise/fitness machine is complicated in astructure, it is difficult to get the proper maintenance. In addition,other persons around the exercise/fitness machine may be injured bytheir carelessness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise/fitnessmachine using a damper containing magnetorheological fluid, which can bevaried in weight in a minute unit in accordance with a body condition ofa user and allow a user to develop body portions he/she selected,thereby maximizing convenience in use and efficiency of exercise.

Another object of the present invention is to provide anexercise/fitness machine using magnetorheological fluid, which isreduced in a weight to be easily displaced and get the propermaintenance.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an exercise/fitnessmachine includes: a base frame; a muscular strength member that isprovided on an upper end of the base frame to develop muscular strengthof an upper or lower body of a user; and a weight varying unit providedbetween the base frame and the muscular developing member and includinga damper containing magnetorheological fluid to vary a weight sense inaccordance with a user's selection.

The weight varying unit may include: a damper containing themagnetorheological fluid and having a first end fixed on a side of theexercise/fitness machine; a piston having a first end portion disposedin the damper and a second end portion fixed to the muscular strengthmember and provided with a magnetic inducing member, and; and a controlunit for controlling compression force of the magnetorheological fluidby the piston partly disposed in the damper by controlling magneticinduction of the magnetic inducing member formed on the piston.

The weight varying unit may include: a damper including a housingstoring the magnetorheological fluid and having a first end on which afixing member is provided and a second end provided with an insertionhole and a packing provided in the insertion hole to keep air-tightness;a piston including a damper plate disposed in the housing and providedwith at least one through hole, a shaft extending from the damper plate,a fixing member formed on an end of the shaft, and a magnetic inducingmember provided at a side of the through hole of the damper plate; and acontrol unit for controlling compression force of the magnetorheologicalfluid by the piston partly disposed in the damper by controllingmagnetic induction of the magnetic inducing member formed on the piston.

The exercise/fitness machine may further include a shock absorptionmember disposed between an inner wall of the damper and the piston.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise/fitness machine according tothe related art;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exercise/fitness machine usingmagnetorheological fluid according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a damper containing magnetorheologicalfluid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exercise/fitness machine usingmagnetorheological fluid according to an embodiment of the presentinvention and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a damper containingmagnetorheological fluid according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

An exercise/fitness machine of this embodiment includes a base frame102, a muscular strength member provided on an upper end of the baseframe 102 and used for developing a muscle, a weight varying unit 130provided on a side of the muscular strength member, and a display unit140 displaying an exercise state and an amount of the exercise of auser.

The weight varying unit 130 corresponds to the weights of theexercise/fitness machine of the related art. That is, the weight varyingunit 130 functions to set an exercising weight required for enhancingmuscular strength and developing muscles.

The muscular strength member includes upper and lower muscular strengthmembers 110 and 120 that are designed to enhance the muscular strengthof the upper and/or lower bodies of the user. The muscular strengthmember is identical to that of the related art and thus detaileddescription thereof will be omitted herein.

Each of the upper and lower muscular strength members 110 and 120includes two supports for both legs (or both arms) of the user. Thesupports are designed to independently operate. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this configuration. That is, like therelated art, the supports are designed to identically operate.

The upper and lower muscular strength members 110 and 120 function tosimultaneously develop the upper and lower bodies.

The weight varying unit 130 includes a damper 132 containing fluid, apiston 134 having a first end portion disposed in the damper 132 and asecond end portion fixed to one of the upper and lower muscular strengthmembers 110 and 120 and provided with a magnetic inducing member, and acontrol unit that applies magnetic force to the magnetic inducing memberto magnetize the magnetic inducing member and varies compression forceof the piston 134 as the magnetic inducing member is magnetized, therebyproviding a muscular strength developing effect.

The damper 132 includes a housing 1322 for storing the fluid and afixing member 1324 formed on a first end of the housing 1322 and fixedto the base frame 102. The housing 1322 is provided at a second end withan insertion hole 1326 through which the piston 134 is partly inserted.A packing 1328 is provided on the insertion hole 1326 to prevent thefluid from leaking when the piston 134 is inserted through the insertionhole 1326.

Needless to say, at least one nipple (not shown) is provided on a sideof the housing 1322 to replace or refill the fluid.

The fluid may be magnetorheological fluid.

The piston 134 includes a damper plate 1342 disposed in the housing 1322of the damper 132, a shaft 1348 extending from the damper plate 1342,and a fixing member 1349 formed on an end of the shaft 1348 and fixed toone of the upper and lower muscular strength members 110 and 120.

The damper plate 1342 is provided with at least one through hole 1344and the magnetic inducing member 1346 is provided around the throughhole 1344.

The location of the magnetic inducing member 1346 is not limited on thedamper plate 1342. That is, the magnetic inducing member 1346 may beprovided on an inner or outer circumference of the housing 1322. Anymagnetic inducing members that can magnetize the magnetorheologicalfluid contained in the damper 132 may be used.

A shock absorption member 136 that can prevent the damage of the damperplate 1342, which may be caused by collision between the damper plateand the inner wall of the housing 1322 when the damper platereciprocates may be further provided in the housing.

The control unit is provided on a side of the exercise/fitness machine100, i.e., on a location at which the user conveniently manipulates thecontrol unit. The magnetorheological fluid contained in the damper 132of the weight varying unit 130 is magnetized by the user manipulatingthe control unit and thus the compression force of the piston 134 isvaried to proper exercising weight for the user.

The following will describe use of the above-described fitness machineusing the magnetorheological fluid.

Referring to FIG. 2, in order to develop the upper body, the user seatson a bench and grasps the handle of the upper muscular strength member110. In this state, the user manipulates a manipulation switch of acontrol panel connected to the control unit.

The switch signal is transferred to the magnetic inducing member 1346 ofthe weight varying unit 130 through the control unit and thus themagnetic force within a predetermined range is generated from themagnetic inducing member 1346. Therefore, the magnetorheological fluidstored in the housing 1322 is magnetized to have predetermined pressure.

When the user moves the handles upward or downward, the fixing member1349 of the piston 134, which is fixed on the end of the handle, movesin response thereto. Then, the shaft 1348 connected to the fixing member1349 operates to move the damper plate 1342 upward and downward in thehousing 1322.

At this point, since the magnetorheological fluid stored in the housing1342 has the predetermined pressure due to the magnetic force, thepressure resists the upward or downward movement of the damper plate1342, in the course of which the magnetorheological fluid flows throughthe through hole 1344 of the damper plate 1342.

Therefore, when the damper plate 1342 moves in the housing 1322, thepressure of the magnetorheological fluid resists the movement of thedamper plate 1342 and thus the user can develop the muscle using properexercising weight.

Meanwhile, since the operation of the lower muscular strength member 120is same as the above-described operation of the upper muscular strengthmember 110, detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

The weight varying unit 130 may be provided for each of the supports ofthe upper muscular strength member 110 and each of the supports of thelower muscular strength member 120 so that the user can develop musclesof both arms and both legs using different exercising weights.

This structure may be very effective for a hemiplegia patient having oneof both sides, which has the same muscular strength as a normal person.That is, the hemiplegia patient can develop the balanced muscularstrength using different exercising weights.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, theexercise/fitness machine uses a damper containing magnetorheologicalfluid. Therefore, the machine can be varied in weight in a minute unitin accordance with a body condition of a user and allow a user todevelop body portions he/she selected, thereby maximizing convenience inuse and efficiency of exercise.

In addition, since the exercise/fitness machine is simple in astructure, the exercise/fitness machine can be reduced in a weight to beeasily displaced and get the proper maintenance.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. An exercise/fitness machine comprising: a base frame; a muscularstrength member that is provided on an upper end of the base frame todevelop muscular strength of an upper or lower body of a user; and aweight varying unit provided between the base frame and the musculardeveloping member and comprising a damper containing magnetorheologicalfluid to vary a weight sense in accordance with a user's selection. 2.The exercise/fitness machine of claim 1, wherein the weight varying unitcomprises: a damper containing the magnetorheological fluid and having afirst end fixed on a side of the exercise/fitness machine; a pistonhaving a first end portion disposed in the damper and a second endportion fixed to the muscular strength member and provided with amagnetic inducing member, and; and a control unit for controllingcompression force of the magnetorheological fluid by the piston partlydisposed in the damper by controlling magnetic induction of the magneticinducing member formed on the piston.
 3. The exercise/fitness machine ofclaims 1, wherein the weight varying unit comprises: a damper comprisinga housing storing the magnetorheological fluid and having a first end onwhich a fixing member is provided and a second end provided with aninsertion hole and a packing provided in the insertion hole to keepair-tightness; a piston comprising a damper plate disposed in thehousing and provided with at least one through hole, a shaft extendingfrom the damper plate, a fixing member formed on an end of the shaft,and a magnetic inducing member provided at a side of the through hole ofthe damper plate; and a control unit for controlling compression forceof the magnetorheological fluid by the piston partly disposed in thedamper by controlling magnetic induction of the magnetic inducing memberformed on the piston.
 4. The exercise/fitness machine of claims 2,further comprising a shock absorption member disposed between an innerwall of the damper and the piston.
 5. The exercise/fitness machine ofclaims 3, further comprising a shock absorption member disposed betweenan inner wall of the damper and the piston.